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Guiding voters through the polling place

Dana Chisnell Center for Civic Design @civicdesign | @danachis

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Are you getting warmer? Or cooler?

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Capacity management Queuing theory

Let’s talk about long lines.

Factors that contribute to long lines

• planning against comparable elections

• enough well-trained workers

• enough usable equipment • enough voting hours

• and voters

01. Answer voters’ questionsBefore they arrive at the polling place

Voters start their journey when they decide to vote Previewing what voting will be like helps them decide

Way finding starts way before the polling place

The process is opaque — voters have questions before they even get to the polls

? what’s on the ballot

? where their polling place is, how to get there, and where to park

? whether they need ID and what kind

? what their registration status is

? what to expect: will they have to wait, and if so, how long

? the mechanics of voting

? can they bring things and people with them — what’s restricted

Myths and assumptions of voters

“Ijustwanttoseewhoisrunningandwhatquestionsaregoingtobeontheballot.Ineverknowwhatisgoingtobeontheballotaheadoftime,andI’mafraidoftakingtoolonginthebooth.”

Sample ballots are not what voters expect them to be

Polling places are designed for people who are familiar with how voting works

Voters expect that poll workers are like TSA agents - barking orders and punishing people for doing it wrong

Getting ready to vote

Sample ballot = practice ballot Make them easily available

Getting ready to vote

Publish tips for the best voting experience

• Review your sample ballot • Check your registration status • Map your polling place • Bring the sample ballot with you • Bring your ID • Wear comfortable shoes • Bring your parent / spouse /

kids /helper • Turn off your phone

What to expect at the polls

First-timevoterssaidtheyweremorelikelytoshowupwhenwedemystifiedtheexperienceinthepollingplace.

Explain what the voting system is and how to use it

Explain the steps voters will go through in the polling place

Give a range of how long it will take to mark a ballot and cast it Say that poll workers are there to answer questions, assist (and translate)

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Preparation.

Help voters know what it’s going to be like to vote.

02. Orient voters in the polling placeFinding and learning happen together

The situation is unfamiliar — when voters arrive, they have more questions

am I in the right place?

where do I park, where’s the entrance, and are there accessible spots close to the polling place?

where do I go when I’m in inside?

what’s on the ballot, again? did I bring that cheatsheet I made?

where do I start? how will I know?

how do I get a ballot?

what if I get it wrong?

where’s that cheatsheet?!

what if they don’t let me vote?

oh god, did I bring my ID?

what if I’m not really registered? can I do it now?

how long will it take to vote? I have to go pick up the kids

do I have to vote on all the contests?

what do I do with this ballot, now?

how do I know my ballot be counted?

now, how do I get out of here?

where’s my car?

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The experience voters have in an election starts and ends outside the polling place.

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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What’s a good layout?

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Orientation.

Help voters know that they’re in the right place at the right time.

03. Guide voters through the polling place

Way finding at the polling place location

1. Make signs easy to read

2. Show traffic patterns

3. Use appropriate color to identify types of information

4. Be clear about actions voters must take

5. Provide clear information about what’s allowed in the polling place

6. Communicate laws and regulations appropriately

7. Make it easy to read in all languages

8. Use plain language

9. Use icons to reinforce instructions

10. Make the text easy to read

Pro tip: Test and make iterative improvements

Effective Designs for the Administration of Federal Elections

http://www.eac.gov/election_management_resources/designing_polling_place_materials.aspx

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Hang signs at eye level. Make sure signs are visible from around the room.

No. 01Make signs easy to read

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Comfortable viewing zone for postersThe main content should be between 4 feet and 5.5 feet high

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Make it easy for voters to navigate the polling place. Where do they start? Do they have to move from station to station? Where is the voting system for people with disabilities?

No. 02Show traffic patterns

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Color and contrast help people quickly identify the purpose and content of signs. Combine color with text or shape for accessibility.

No. 03Use appropriate color to identify types of information

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For voting, make diagrams accurate to your voting system. Close-up line drawings are better than photographs. Use icons, arrows, or symbols for meaning, not for decoration.

No. 04 Be clear about actions voters must take.

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At check-in In the voting booth

Write in active voice. Tell voters what to do. Avoid negative (don’t do) when possible.

No. 05Provide clear information about what’s allowed in the polling place.

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Provide clear information about what’s allowed in the polling place.

Write in active voice. Tell voters what to do. Avoid negative (don’t do) when possible.

Write a heading or sentence to summarize the law. If possible, paraphrase in plain language. Include the source, so people can look it up. Work with counsel to get early reviews.

No. 06Communicate laws and regulations appropriately.

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Communicate laws and regulations appropriately.

Write a heading or sentence to summarize the law. If possible, paraphrase in plain language. Include the source, so people can look it up. Work with counsel to get early reviews.

Make it easy to compare the information between languages. Limit signs to 2 languages.* One language should be English.

No. 07Make it easy to read in all languages.

*English+2Asianlanguagesmayalsowork.

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Write short sentences. Use simple words. Think of the voter as “you.” Write in the positive. Use numbers on step-by-step instructions. Keep paragraphs short.

No. 08Use plain language.

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Before After

You have a right to cast a provisional ballot if your name is on the voting rolls.

You have the right to vote if you are a registered voter even if your name is not on the list. You will vote using a provisional ballot. Your vote will be counted if the Board of Elections determines that you are eligible to vote.

Use informational icons such as arrows and exclamation points to draw attention to important information or to help voters quickly scan dense information.

No. 09Use icons to reinforce instructions.

Use a font large enough to be seen from a distance. Use upper- and lowercase. Use sans-serif fonts. Use white space to separate items on the same sign or poster.

No. 10Make the text easy to read.

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Make the text easy to read.

It’s clear what is most important here — not everything is at the same level.

Test and make iterative improvements.

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What happens before they arrive can make a difference in how easily they get through the process when they get to the polling location.

The voter journey starts and ends outside the polling place

Many options for guiding voters through the polling place

Youngervoterspreferonlinesourcesofinformation,butnottoomuch.Textmessagespointingthemtodetailsandeventsareideal.

Getting ready • Websites

• Voter guides

• Out reach

• Media

• Emails

• Text messages

• Social media

Many options for guiding voters through the polling place

Walkthroughfromtheparkinglot/publictransittotheroomwherepollinghappens.Makesurevotersfeelthey’regettingcloserwitheachstep.

At the polling location • signs

• flags

• traffic cones

• paths taped on floors

• greeters and guides

• sample practice ballots on hand

What have you tried?

Pro Tips

Helpvotersgetready

Helpvotersgetoriented

Guidevotersthroughthepollingplace

Createacohesivesystemthatisrecognizable

Thank you!

Dana Chisnelldana@civicdesign.org Center for Civic Design civicdesign.org @civicdesign @danachis